Penn State

Michigan State is the defending division champion in the East. Michigan and Ohio State are both early favorites for the 2016 national championship.

But don't forget about Penn State.

Well, at least in regard to attendance at its spring game. Nittany Lions fans are dedicated, perhaps to a fault since James Franklin arrived. They've flooded into Beaver Stadium, averaging 70,000 in 2014 and 2015.

Penn State is likely to stumble through the 2016 season, so that might affect attendance at the glorified scrimmage. Or maybe fans will sustain their optimism for another year.

We'll give the Bulldogs a place on the list because there's excitement building around new head coach Kirby Smart. True freshman quarterback Jacob Eason will also make his program debut.

Plus, this isn't a completely insane notion.

Last season, Georgia had a record 46,815 people in attendance. Another 25,000-plus isn't exactly easy, but renewed excitement combined with a concentrated push might get the job done.

Nebraska

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Just two programs claimed more than 70,000 attendees last season. It might be surprising that Nebraska was one.

Nearly 77,000 soaked in the Cornhuskers' glorified exhibition, which was the first under head coach Mike Riley. The school averaged approximately 56,000 during the two previous years.

Fans have good reason to be excited once again.

Nebraska returns a majority of its offensive production, including quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. and wideout Jordan Westerkamp. The Huskers should be favorites to win the Big Ten West.

Tennessee

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The hype train is speeding through Knoxville. Maybe the Vols won't live up to expectations this fall, but spring game attendance hasn't disappointed recently.

During each of the last three years, the claimed numbers have landed in the 60-70,000 range.

Yes, there's Joshua Dobbs, Jalen Hurd, Derek Barnett and a slew of other Tennessee players who are the main reasons fans will flock into Neyland Stadium. But they also have a final opportunity to rain boos on Steve Spurrier, who will be honored at the game.